Nan Province Thailand is a hidden mountain paradise just an hour from Bangkok. Filled with endless mountain views and cozy local restaurants serving authentic Thai flavors. Scenic drives along Route 3, a winding road with beautiful hills that’ll make you want to pull over every five minutes, make you feel time has stopped, and let you enjoy the slow life. We couldn’t help ourselves but fell in love with this area. Whether you are planning a romantic or solo travel, Nan is the perfect spot to escape Bangkok crowds and fall in love with nature. In this guide, we’re sharing things to do in Nan Province Thailand, and everything you need to know to have the best trip!
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How to Get to Nan Province Thailand
The easiest way to get to Nan province Thailand, is by hopping on a quick one-hour flight from Bangkok. This is the best option unless you’re in the mood for a long road trip. We flew with AirAsia. They served us food during the flight, and their prices were affordable.
Once you land at Nan Nakhon Airport, the city center is just a short drive away. You can grab a taxi for roughly 100 baht ($2.97) or rent a car to start your adventure. There’s also a bus option from Bangkok, which ranges from $18-$24, but flying is the way to go unless you’re up for a long ride. We explored Nan with Smiling Albino, a private touring company.
Things to do in Nan Province Thailand
Sunrise Almsgiving
One of the most Non tourist and rewarding experiences to do in Thailand is waking up early to participate in the sacred tradition of giving alms to the monks. We got up at sunrise and dressed in our traditional Lanna outfits. We gathered to offer food to the Buddhist monks, a practice deeply rooted in Thai culture. We were so grateful to participate in this fantastic cultural experience, which is still one of our favorite highlights of our trip. Afterward, we took some time to stroll around and interact with locals, plus grabbed some street food.
Exploring Nan Province Thailand by Tourist Trolley
Hop on the tourist trolley for a comprehensive tour of Nan Province Thailand’s historical and cultural sites. Departing from the tourist information office across from Wat Phumin at 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM daily, this is a fun way to explore the city where you can hoop off and hop on. They do allow about 15 minutes at each location.
Learn How to Make Chocolate at Cocoa Valley
This hands-on activity takes you through chocolate-making, from harvesting cacao pods to making your chocolate bars. We were so excited to finally experience this unique experience.
The Process:
1. Harvesting – Learn how cacao is grown and harvested. The property has a cacao farm and will take you on the Tour. We cut the coco from the tree, break it, and taste the cocoa. They are pretty sweet.
2. Fermentation & Drying– Discover the steps that develop chocolate’s rich flavor.
3. Roasting & Grinding – they walked us through each step of the process and let us taste the final stage before it became chocolate. Just a heads-up—go easy when sampling the chocolate. I got a little carried away, and let’s just say… it was bitter!
4. Tasting & Creating- we made our own chocolate. The actual process took about 30 minutes top. We left it alone for a few hours, and it was delivered to our room. Watch yourself. You will end up eating more chocolate!
Drive on Route 3
This is one of the most breathtaking mountain views in Nan Province Thailand! Hugged by a beautiful green mountain view, Route 3 is named for its winding path, which uniquely forms the shape of the number 3; as you cruise along, you’ll be surrounded by towering peaks, rolling hills, and panoramic vistas that seem to stretch endlessly into the horizon. This area is becoming popular with travelers and is also a photographer’s dream. Things to keep in mind. Please do not stand in the middle of the road for picture ops.
Explore Nan Province Thailand’s Night Markets
We wandered through Bhumin Night Walking Street, one of the biggest night markets in Nan, trying all kinds of local foods such as Sai Ua, Gaeng Ho, fried chicken with Indian prickly ash, and more. Of course, we couldn’t leave without getting beautiful art pieces and souvenirs before heading to one of the most unique dining experiences.
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Where to Stay in Nan Province Thailand
Raithonruk Organic Farm Boutique Hotel- For our first night in Nan, we stayed at this hotel an eco-friendly stay. It’s a family-owned hotel, and they raise their own animals and grow fresh organic veggies, which are used for breakfast in the morning. This boutique hotel is a perfect escape for couples or solo adventurous looking to unwind and enjoy nature’s beauty.
Cocoa Valley Farm– If you love chocolate, Cocoa Valley Farm is a dream come true. Located at the tip of the hills in Pua, this secluded getaway offers:
– A chocolate-themed experience – Even the bathtub is covered in chocolate!
– Private balcony with an outdoor bathtub – Soak in a warm bath surrounded by lush greenery. We ended our day with a warm bath and would say add the experience to your room. The staff will come and set everything up for you. lastly Try different themed chocolate drinks and chocolate to in the cafeteria.
Where to eat in Nan Province, Thailand
- Baan Hua Nam Mushroom Farm The drive to this restaurant in Nan province Thailand takes you through the picturesque mountain hills of Nan. The restaurants also have a small waterfall in the background, bamboo walkways to stroll through, and koi fish to feed while you wait for food. Don’t forget to hop on the swing for an epic view later!
- Le Bua Tong is an open-air verdant-style restaurant serving authentic Nan Thai plates.
- Huan Chao Nang is a local restaurant by the river.
Nan province in Thailand is not that popular as it is often overlooked for Chiang Mai! This was the perfect escape. We wanted to experience a different side of Thailand. We love the food and the people so much we can’t wait to visit again. Here’s to more adventures! Explore the Caribbean with our latest blog post!
